The Spire WOODMONT CHRISTIAN CHURCH APRIL 17, 2018

Transcription

1 The Spire WOODMONT CHRISTIAN CHURCH APRIL 17, 2018

2 Stewardship 2018 Questions and Answers Is this the only time we raise or ask for money throughout the year? The stewardship campaign is what we use to determine and set our budget for the year. There are other opportunities to give throughout the year but this is our main campaign. How will my contributions be used? Your contributions are used to help support the mission of our church: Growing disciples of Christ by seeking God, Sharing love, and Serving others. Our mission is lived out in our 7 areas of ministry: Worship, Children and Families, Youth and Young Adults, Spiritual Formation, Congregational Care, Outreach, and Leadership What if my financial situation changes over the course of the year and my pledge amount needs to change? We understand that financial situations change for both the good and the bad over the course of a year. Your pledge is just an estimate of what you expect to be able to give and can be changed at any time based on your financial situation. Outreach Grants Awarded Q3 Barefoot Republic Christian Church in TN Communities in School of TN First Steps, Inc. Nashville Food Project Nashville Rescue Mission Rejoice School of Ballet Safe Haven Family Shelter Second Harvest Food Bank Siloam Family Health Minister s Discretionary Fund MINISTERIAL STAFF Dr. Clay Stauffer, Senior Minister Dr. C. Roy Stauffer Minister of Adult Education & Church Life Rev. Justin Gung Minister of Children & Congregational Care Rev. Chris Cox Minister of Youth & Their Families Dr. Donovan McAbee Minister of Spiritual Formation Farrell Mason Minister of Family Life & Pastoral Care PROGRAM STAFF Michael Graham Music Ministry Director Abby McLean Children s Ministry Director Katie Sheridan-Gossage Assistant Youth Ministry Director Andra Moran Creative Director, The Bridge Stephen Daniel King Worship Leader, The Bridge Lauren Lucas Beuerlein Young Professionals & Couples Director SUPPORT STAFF Chris Beck Business Administrator Martha Duff Preschool Director Sam Marsh Property & Facilities Manager Jan Anderson Administrative Assistant Amber Moss Executive Assistant Anne-Marie Farmer Small Groups & Connections Director Matt Diffenderfer Communications Director For the most up-to-date information, download Woodmont s Realm church directory app. Search for Realm Connect in itunes & Google Play. Woodmont Christian Church 3601 Hillsboro Pike Nashville, Tennessee pg 2

3 Community, Staying Connected, and Filling Our Spiritual Voids by Clay Stauffer One of the reasons we financially support the church is because we believe in the importance of community. Christianity is a faith that is practiced in community, in relationship with others. These faith-based relationships are some of the most meaningful connections we will have in life. This is very important for a variety of reasons. Social isolation, loneliness, anxiety, and depression are growing challenges in the twenty-first century. Harvard sociologist Robert Putnam first identified the early warning signs almost twenty years ago in his groundbreaking book Bowling Alone: the Collapse and Revival of American Community. The Internet and now social media was born into a culture where traditional forms of community were breaking down due to various societal factors. In a brand new book titled Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression and the Unexpected Solutions, journalist Johann Hari makes the case that the rising rates of anxiety and depression in our culture may not simply be tied to a chemical imbalance in the brain. He is not completely dismissing that reality, but he is arguing that there are multiple life factors that have contributed to this rise, all related to the concept of lost connections. In writing the book, Hari talked to multiple psychologists around the world who have done extensive research on the subject of anxiety, depression, and social connection, including neuroscience researcher John Cacioppo. Caciopppo told me the evidence is clear: social media can t compensate us psychologically for what we have lost social life. More than that our obsessive use of social media is an attempt to fill a hole, a great hallowing, that took place before anyone had a smartphone. Clearly, big tech companies found a way to tap into this void and have made billions of dollars in the process. Folks like Jobs and Zuckerberg realized that this is both a spiritual crisis and a relationship crisis. But are we any better off now that we have all of these gadgets and social media platforms? Many would say the situation is even worse because no amount of screen time can substitute for the authentic community that has traditionally been found in churches, civic clubs, PTA s, and twelve step groups. Hari also points out that as our society has become less communal and more fragmented, our culture has become more materialistic. Why? It s the way we compete and send messages of status and importance to each other. There is a common belief that we can spend and consume our way to happiness, but it never works. There is always more to get. Hari consulted American psychologist Tim Kassar who has done extensive research in this area. Kassar concludes, All of us have certain innate needs to feel connected, to feel valued, to feel secure, to feel we make a difference in the world, to have autonomy, to feel we are good at something. Materialistic people are less happy because they are chasing a way of life that does a bad job of meeting these needs. What you really need are connections. But what you are told you need in our culture, is stuff and a superior status, and in the gap between those two signals from yourself and from society - depression and anxiety will grow as your real needs go unmet. One of the questions Hari asks in the book is, If anti-depressants are the answer to anxiety and depression, then why do so many who take these medications remain anxious and depressed? He believes that there is much more to the situation than simple brain chemistry. Life experience, social isolation, and loss of connection all play a role. The church is one of the best places for us to maintain healthy connections and genuine friendships. NEW MEMBERS Gary & Meredith Austin with Robert April 15, 2018 Bethany Hills Work Day A group of over twenty Woodmont members met at Bethany Hills last Saturday to do some cleanup and painting. Most of the Manager s Residence was painted and two large dumpsters were filled one with items to be discarded and one with metal to be recycled. The work there is not done but we made an excellent start. If you have ever enjoyed Bethany Hills you probably want to be a part of our next workday. It will be Saturday, April 28th. Contact Susan Batson at subatson@gmail.com or Ralph Parsons at ralph. parsons@comcast.net for details. pg 3 Bridge Brunch on April 29 The next Bridge Brunch will be Sunday, April 29 immediately following The Bridge service. This event is designed for those who attend the Bridge to have a chance to enjoy a delicious brunch, chat, and build connections and friendships within their church community.

4 Xander Bowman Sophie Bugg Olivia Burks Emmeline Cannon Constance Cooper Ava Demastus Taylor Donahoe Katherine Flores Malkit Flores Hallie Galyon Kylie LeAnna Palmer Maggart Belle Mason Lux Paine Thatcher Paisley Ava Rumsey Wils Jackson Elise Mason Kaiden LeAnna Evie Moore April Birthdays Brents Simmons 4/1 Louise Beckman 4/2 Stella Bugg 4/3 Margaret Harris 4/3 Parker Anderson 4/6 Lucy Kate Holley 4/9 Caroline Greer 4/10 Waller McMillin 4/13 pg 4 Knowles Ryerson 4/13 Cannon Milam 4/15 Louisa Harris 4/16 Poppy Duke 4/16 Baron Pride 4/17 Ava Demastus 4/18 Loretta Witherow 4/18 Taylor Donahoe 4/20 Henry Green 4/21 Xander Bowman 4/22 Hank Smith 4/23 Henley Duvall 4/24 Lauren Rush 4/26 Elle Steele 4/27 Virginia Mansfield 4/29 Anna Thomas 4/30

5 BAPTISM SUNDAY April 8, 2018 Photos by Steve Lowry Lauren Rush Dawson Schmutz Tav Shaffer Corinne Smith Ben Smith Browning Trainer James Trainer Tessa Williams Caroline Wills Morgan Scott hosts Remote Area Medical Clinic by Judy Davis On March 24, the Remote Area Medical team visited Morgan Scott Project. They provided free eye exams and new glasses to those who were in need of eye care. They also provided free dental exams and dental work as needed. Five Woodmont members went to help register and provide other services for the people being served. Jade Forlidas, nurse, and Susan Stark, Michelle Williams, Ellen Anderson, and Judy David volunteered. To learn more about RAM, go to ramusa.com pg 5

6 The Gift That Keeps Giving by Andra Moran Sunday morning, I loaded up our newly-two year old daughter into the car to head to church. There, in her cupholder, and around the floor board were a few plastic Easter eggs still hanging out from our Easter celebration a few weeks back. Calla was delighted to see these hold-overs brightening up our grey morning. As I buckled her in to her seat, she shook the eggs, and hearing no tell-tale rattle, she sighed: No treats. Driving on to church, I was thinking through the final details of the morning ahead, when I heard a small gasp from the back seat. Treats! Calla had wrangled one of eggs open and found three shiny Minnie Mouse stickers! What a joyful surprise! Isn t that just like Easter? The joyful surprise gift that keeps on giving day after day, year after year. It is a gift that never goes out of season: God confirming that Love will always win, that pain and death will not have the last word, and that darkness will never overcome the Light of Christ. Recently I wrote a song with an Australian songwriter familiar to our congregation named Ben Grace. The song asserts, We are Easter people now in the valley of the shadow, we re the candle in the window, and hope will rise again. Easter is not just a day or a season in the church year. It is an assurance; a promise that emboldens us to live our lives confident that Hope will indeed rise again. We can be encouraged and we can be encouraging! What a gift to receive, and what a gift to share! May we be generous in our response to God s gifts, and give back in all ways. Amen. Room In The Inn Thank You by Deb LaForge Another season is over for Room In The Inn and once again Woodmont has provided abundantly for our guests. The numbers for this year: Regular Friday nights: 21 Extra nights below freezing: 17 Total of 38 nights covered by Woodmont! We housed a total of 457 guests, that includes both men, women and families. We had a total of 33 different overnight hosts, some for the first time. Over 320 helped provide, prepare and serve meals. Putting it into perspective that s 457 toiletry kits that each guest is given, each consisting of a toothbrush, travel size toothpaste, shampoo, soap, razor, and comb. We also allow each guest to take items from the clothing closet which include one each of boxers, tee-shirts, socks, pants, longsleeve shirts, coats, thermo-underwear, shoes and belts (when available). Lets say the average guests takes 4 items (believe me that s low), that means close to 2,000 pieces of clothing went through the clothing closet this season alone. This could not be done without the support of both time and donations, both financially to the church and in-kind to the Calendar Baptism Sunday, April 22 9:30 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary, Sun. School Tate Metz & Meriwether Beckman Dedications 9:45 a.m. Worship at The Bridge, Drowota Hall 11:00 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary, Sun. School 12:15 p.m. Intro to Woodmont, the Boardroom 5:00 p.m. Jubilation Youth Choir, Youth Wing 5:45 p.m. Youth Group, Youth Wing Monday, April 23 10:00 a.m. The Baby Bunch, Room 134 3:00 p.m. Geezers, Boardroom Tuesday, April 24 7:00 a.m. Exploring the Contemplative Path, Campbell West 9:00 a.m. Women s Prayer Group, Campbell-Stone 12:00 p.m. GEMS Luncheon, Room 105 6:00 p.m. Handbells Rehearsal, Choir Room Wednesday, April 25 6:15 a.m. Men s Small Group, Room 100 7:00 a.m. Original Men s Bible Study, Room 105 7:00 a.m. Younger Men s Bible Study, Boardroom 5:30 p.m. Grace Notes practice, Kids Commons 5:45 p.m. Wednesday Fellowship Dinner, D.H. MENU: Asian Salad with garbanzo, red onion, mushroom, crunchy noodle, ginger vinaigrette Chicken Stir-fry, Fried Rice, Naan Bread VEGETARIAN: Vegetarian Stir-fry KIDS: Sweet and Sour Chicken with white rice 6:15 p.m. DivorceCare, The Bay Room 6:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room 6:30 p.m. Issues That Matter: Criminal Justice with Dr. Rosevelt Noble from Vanderbilt University 6:30 p.m. Brené Brown Discussion Group, Room 100 Thursday, April 26 6:00 p.m. Welcome Party, Campbell West clothing closet and with food from you. I am thankful for each of you as I know our guests have been. This program has touched the lives of those it serves as well as those that serve by allowing an opportunity to sit at a meal with another and offer hospitality, thus opening the door for a shared connection.

7 PRAYERS FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY SYMPATHY TO: The Drowota family on the death of Frank F. Drowota, III on Sunday, April 15. Services scheduled for Saturday, April 21st. Visitation beginning at 12:30 pm, funeral at 3:00 pm. IN THE HOSPITAL: Laura Reynolds, St. Thomas West NEW CONCERNS: Diane Tucker - surgery, Tuesday, April 17th - Centennial Hospital MARCH 25: APRIL 1: APRIL 8: APRIL 15: SUNDAY SCHOOL: 411 NA Seeing God by Abby McLean ATTENDANCE: pg 7 OPERATING: $33,828 $72,394 $53,967 $58,399 If you haven t ventured down to the Children s Wing on the first floor in a while, I d encourage you to. What you find might surprise you. In amidst the chaos of 180 children ages infant through 5th grade, you find love. You find a crew of 30+ adults and some youth who strive to give the children of this church a place to learn, grow and experience God in a way that I am even in awe of. You see God in art in all six of our preschool classrooms where they discover the meaning behind Noah s Ark or Moses leading his people across the sea. You see God in cooking where children create pieces of Bible stories through food. You see our little guys and gals working hard on their playdough creations and their teachers using those moments to help them understand what they may be discussing every Sunday in class. In that, again, I see God. You see God in the children portraying our Bible stories week in and out in their drama class or lesson. Several classes break bread together each Sunday and have their family meal because isn t that what we all are. A family! I tell you all this to not only give you an open invitation to join us any time and see God with me but I also tell you this because of the possibilities we have within this area. For years now we have housed a growing number of children in our Kids Commons and Preschool wing. We have now outgrown those spaces. Now don t get me wrong: it gives me the greatest joy to know that we are exploding! Having grown up in this church and see the ebb and flow of our children s ministry, it makes me thrilled to know we have outgrown this area and need more room. We currently have 12 classrooms plus one in the Youth wing where we have Sunday School and we could use 5-6 more! That s how busy we are! Praise the Lord!! I d ask you to prayerfully consider what and why you give to Woodmont. I show you all these reasons above to give you an idea about our life in the Kids Commons every Sunday and to show you that whatever you can give can greatly benefit this growing area of our church building. If you truly think about the impact that your pledge can have on these children and their growth within Woodmont, I think you d feel mighty powerful. Let s change the course of these kiddos lives and show them the importance the church has within our lives and this city. CONTINUING CONCERNS: LuAnn Brent Ben Cherry, at home Gayle Cherry Jan Goans, Signature Health Rehab on Wedgwood JoAnn Patterson Al Richardson, The Meadows Tate Rogers Lynne Thompson Isse Waddey Gary Walker FAMILY OF MEMBERS - CONCERNS: Paul Hardin s uncle, Jimmy Glasgow - in critical condition at TriStar Centennial Medical Center at Ashland City. David Reynolds father, Dale, in Fort Worth, TX - Surgery Martha Duff s sister, Barbara - cancer PRAYERS FOR OUR WORLD This week, Woodmont s elders ask you to pray specifically for: The victims of the gas attack in Syria. Those affected by the weather across our country. The teachers across our nation. Bethany Hills and the renovations. May CWF Meeting The May 1st Christian Women s Fellowship meeting will feature Remote Area Medical. RAM has been delivering free, high quality healthcare for 32 years all without government funding. The need for healthcare access is dramatic in many areas of our state. Despite increasing the number of free clinics every year, RAM receives more than 150 clinic requests across the country they can t accommodate. People travel across state borders, standing in line all night to be treated free the next morning by one of RAM s medical practitioners. Come hear the details about this organization whom CWF supports. CWF meets at 11 AM on Tuesday, May 1, with lunch following. All are welcome. Please make lunch reservations with the church office or your circle by Friday, April 27.

8 Nonprofit Org. US Postage Paid Nashville, TN Permit No.1204 New Elder & Deacon Chairs All are welcome to celebrate our seniors on Youth Sunday, May 7! Senior Banquet immediately following 11 AM service - click here to RSVP